Marx argued that the ideas of the ruling class are the ideas of society, a notion that potentially runs against Durkheim’s notion of “collective consciousness.” Which perspective do you think is more valuable for explaining dominant beliefs?

Underlying Marx’s critique of the capitalist mode of production, we find some assumptions (some of which are explicit- think “species-being”) about human nature. After reading through his work, do you agree or disagree with his depiction of a “human”? Is alienation possible and if so, is it a universal experience? Why or why not?

2. Marx argued that the ideas of the ruling class are the ideas of society, a notion that potentially runs against Durkheim’s notion of “collective consciousness.” Which perspective do you think is more valuable for explaining dominant beliefs? Are the two perspectives compatible? Why or why not?